Hefeweizen

97 Bräu-Weisse, Privatbrauerei Aying (Germany). 5.1% ABV (6/08)
Cloudy bright golden color with an ultra fine blanket of mousse. Lightly toasted nougat, banana bread, and delicate clover aromas follow through on a velvety entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium-full body with seamless integration of creamy banana and gentle citrusy elements and outstandingly clean wheat cracker like malt. Finishes with a very long, graceful fade of lush, refreshing and inviting lightly spicy flavors. Classic.

93 Julius Echter Hefeweiss Premium, Wurzburger Hofbrau (Germany). 5.6% ABV (6/07)
Cloudy golden amber color with a super high, pillowy white head. Fresh pureed banana, clove, lemon zest, and brioche aromas are very inviting. A round, supple entry leads to a creamy, dry-yet-fruity medium-full body of generous, fresh banana nut bread, clove, and nutmeg flavors with a long, sumptuous, slightly earthy, lemon meringue finish. A brilliant, super clean hefeweiss that will appeal to fans—and even non-fans—of this love’em-or-hate’em beer style.

93 Franziskaner Hefe-Weisse, Spaten-Franziskaner Brau (Germany). 5.5% ABV (6/08)
Cloudy old gold color with silky blanket of superfine mousse. Dried citrus, peppery spice, and moist bread dough aromas. A satiny smooth entry leads to a dry-yet-fruity light-to-medium body of citrus and peach marmalade, fig, cream, and sweet wheat cracker flavors. Finishes with an ethereal fade of dried fruit, dusty spice, and delicate minerality. An exquisitely elegant, feminine hefe with a seamless balance of flavor and texture.

93 Berghoff Hefe-Weizen, Joseph Huber Brewing Co. (WI). 5.2% ABV (6/06)
Opaquely clouded, golden amber color. Banana nut bread dough has a creamy and lightly peppery, clove edge. A vibrantly frothy entry leads to a dryish medium-to full-bodied palate with honeyed toast, banana bread, dry caramel, spice and salt flavors. Finishes with a dry toast and nut fade. A dead ringer for a great German Hefe.

92 Plank Bavarian Hefeweizen, Privatbrauerei Plank-Laaber (Germany). 5.2% ABV (6/08)
Cloudy burnished amber color with a high pillowy head. Caramelized nut, dried banana, and flan-like aromas. A round, frothy entry leads to a dryish medium of subtle and meshed citrus, dried papaya, banana nut bread, and herbal honey flavors. Finishes with a crisp, tangy well balanced finish. A nice food-friendly, hefe without yeasty exaggerations.

92 Hefe-Weizen, Paulaner Brauerei (Germany). 5.5% ABV (6/08)
Cloudy golden amber color with a fine blanket of mousse. Classic banana, clove, and custard aromas. A round, foamy entry leads to a dryish medium-to-full body of honeyed orange peel, wheat dough, and delicate spice flavors. Finishes with a great citrus and mineral accented fade. A round, balanced, and flavorful hefe that is quite classic in style.

91 Jorger Weisse, Grieskirchner (Austria). 5.1% ABV (6/07)
Hazy old gold color. Fresh baked brioche, dried banana, and sweet spice aromas. A round, supple entry leads to a frothy, fruity medium-to-full body rich banana bread pudding, honeyed citrus, and brown spice flavors. Finishes with a nice interplay of sweet banana bread, marmalade, and green earth flavors. Very nice and deeply flavorful.

90 Penn Weizen, Penn Brewery (PA). 5% ABV (6/07)
Cloudy golden amber color. Banana custard, wheat bread, delicate spice and seashell aromas. A crisp round entry leads to a dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body of banana pudding, honeyed orange bread toast, clove, and nutmeg flavors. Finishes with a refreshing does of mild bittering hops and a lingering banana and citrus bread fade. Rock solid US hefe.

90 Hefe-Weizen, Hacker-Pschorr Brauerei (Germany). 5.5% ABV (6/08)
Hazy golden amber color with fine foamy mousse. Praline, clay, and delicate grain cereal aromas follow through on a smooth, supple entry to a dryish medium body with accents of nectarine and golden raisin. Finishes with a tangy citrus marmalade, delicate spice, and mossy earth fade. A lighter styled, easy drinking hefe that will be a great partner at the table; try with pulled pork sandwiches.

89 Marin Hefe Weiss, Marin Brewing Co. (CA). 5.2% ABV (6/08)
Cloudy old color. Mild, slightly soapy aromas of lemon curd and dried wildflowers. A vibrant entry leads to a dry-yet-fruit medium-to-full body of toasted fresh baguette, lemon soufflé, and orange marmalade flavors. Finishes with a bright sweet citrus and toast fade. An interesting and refreshing American take on the style.

89 Hefe Weiss, Sprecher Brewing Co. (WI). 4.2% ABV (6/06)
Cloudy, yellow amber color with a lacey white head. Banana pudding, toast, wet grain, and clay aromas. A frothy entry leads to a dryish medium-bodied palate with tart citrus, dried banana, straw, earth, and black pepper flavors. Finishes with a lemon peel, banana pudding, and earthy spa water fade.

88 West Coast Wheat, Vancouver Island Brewery (Canada). 5.2% ABV (6/08)
Cloudy orangish amber color with a blanket of foam. Caramelized cashew, banana bread, and clay aromas follow through on a crisp, round entry to a dryish medium-to-full body with a nice citrus custard note. Finishes with a long clean, nut and clementine fade. A tasty and refreshing hefe with a nice balance of yeast, malt, and hops.

88 Shiro, Coedo Brewery (Japan). 5% ABV (2/07)
Lightly hazy old gold color. Golden raisin bread and banana pudding aromas. A round frothy entry leads to a dryish medium body of banana bread toast and orange flavors. Finishes with a crisp, refreshing bread dough, nut, and mildly spicy hop fade.

88 Pinkus Organic Hefe-Weizen, Brauerei Pinkus Muller (Germany). 5.1% ABV (6/08)
Cloudy yellow gold color with a foamy white head. Light grainy wheat and clay aromas follow through on a round, crisp entry to a tangy, dryish medium body with nice dash of baked citrus and honey. Finishes with a pleasant tingly citrus and earth fade.

88 Market Street Wheat, Great Lakes Brewing Co. (OH). 5.3% ABV (7/06)
Lightly hazy golden amber color. Candied banana, clay, and sweet spice medley aromas. follow through to a lightly tart light-to medium-bodied palate with tangy lemon peel, doughy malt, and a touch of play dough and nutmeg. Finishes with a tart crisp fade. Not a typical hefe, but pleasantly tangy and quaffable.

87 West End Wheat, Carolina Brewery (NC). 5.6% ABV (7/06)
Lightly hazy light yellow amber hue. Buttered banana nut bread aromas. Frothy entry, dryish medium-bodied palate with dried banana, walnut, and delicate spice flavors. Finishes with a crisp fade of dried banana, wheat crackers, and pepper. Tasty.

87 Samuel Adams Hefeweizen, The Boston Beer Co. (MA). 5.35% ABV (6/08)
Bright golden amber color. Nutty, fruity caramel and bread crust aromas. A bright round entry leads to a frothy medium-to-full body of orange nut bread and subtle spice flavors. Finishes with a nice creamy, nutty nougat, orange soufflé, and banana cake fade. A very pleasant quaffer.

86 Trailside Wheat, Grumpy Troll Brewery (WI). 5% ABV (6/07) %{Brewpub}
Hazy golden amber color. Dried banana, bubblegum, and nut toast aromas. A round, smooth entry leads to a dryish medium body of banana bread pudding, delicate spice, and faint citrus rind flavors. Finishes with a tangy, nutty bread and slightly tinny asparagus finish.

86 O’Kelly’s Hefeweizen, Govnor’s Public House (IL). 5.35% ABV (6/07) %{Brewpub}
Golden amber color. Sour cherry, sourdough and banana bread aromas. A supple entry leads to a frothy light-to-medium body of banana custard, candied citrus, and nutmeg flavors. Finishes with a tangy fruit and dough fade. A pleasantly tangy and fruity interpretation of the style.

86 Darken Boar Wheat Special, Hideji Beer (Japan). 5% ABV (2/07)
Very hazy golden amber color. Dried banana and cream aromas. A soft entry leads to a dryish medium body sourdough, banana custard, and delicate spice. Finishes with a fruity slightly phenolic, vinyl-like fade.

86 Buckwheat Ale, RJ Rockers Brewing Co. (SC). 5.5% ABV (6/08)
Cloudy amber color. Bold aromas of fruity caramel and wheat pastry dough follow through on a bold, round entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body with brown sugar, dried apricot and honeycomb accents. Finishes with a tart tangy, slightly bitter citrusy hop and limpa bread fade.

86 Bavarian Hefeweizen , Oxford Brewing Co. (MD). 5.2% ABV (6/06)
Lightly hazy golden amber color. Banana nut bread aromas are pure and clean. A froth entry leads to a chewy, dry-yet-fruity medium-to full-bodied palate with dried banana, raisin bread dough, and delicate brown spice flavors. Finishes with a soft creamy fade of sugared citrus peels, banana puree, and cinnamon.

84 Troegs Dreamweaver Wheat, Trˆegs Brewing Co. (PA). 4.4% ABV (7/06)
Hazy yellow color. Savory salted peanuts and dried banana aromas have a soapy edge. A frothy entry leads to a round, dryish medium-to full-bodied palate with wheat cracker, green banana, and toasted nut flavors. Finishes with a tart, slightly metallic fade.

84 Saranac Hefeweizen, Matt Brewing Co. (NY). 5.6% ABV (6/06)
Minutely hazy golden amber color. Sweet, fruity caramelized banana and apple aromas have a pleasant nutty edge. A silky soft, moderately frothy entry leads to a dryish light-to medium-bodied palate with lemon peels, mild banana, and nut flavors. Finishes with a quick fade of cracker-like malt an a trace of spice.

84 Falken Steiner Ur-Weisse, Privat Brauerei Bischoff (Germany). 5.2% ABV (6/08)
Deep hazy golden amber color. Shy aromas of banana nut bread dough follow through on smooth creamy entry to a dryish medium-to-full body with a touch of lemon curd. Finishes with a creamy nougat, fruit gum wrapper fade with a touch of vinyl. A modest hefe.

83 “Honky”, Oskar Blues Brewery (CO). 5% ABV (7/06)
Lightly hazy yellow gold color. Doughy wheat bread aromas with a hint of dried bananas and toasted nuts. A bright frothy entry leads to a lively and tart medium-bodied palate with lemon rind, dough, and dusty dried banana flavors. Finishes with a tangy lemon and dough fade.

81 Mom Hefeweizen, Rogue Ales (OR). 5.2% ABV (6/08)
Faintly hazy golden amber color. Vibrant spicy dried lemon and tangerine aromas with a creamy citrus soap edge follow through on vibrant entry to a dryish medium-to-full body with clove, kumquat peel, and herbal bark accents. Finishes with a sharp, tart, and bitter orange rind and bath bead fade. Not a hefe and the bitter citrus character is somewhat out-of-balance.